SFSU has
received the largest private individual gift pledge in its history:
a $10 million donation from alumnus Manny Mashouf, founder
and chairman of bebe stores inc., and his wife Neda, who also is an
SF State alum. The gift, announced by President Robert A. Corrigan
on May 28 at Commencement,
will go toward a new performing and electronic media arts building
for the College of Creative
Arts.

The gift will provide private funding needed for the new building,
which is planned to be named in honor of the Mashouf family. The private
funding will enable the building project to be included on a future
statewide ballot initiative that would, if passed, fund a variety of
capital construction projects in public education through California
bonds.

"Neda and I are excited to be a part of an innovative University
that understands the changing needs of its community and the impact
that technology has on every aspect of life such as music, art and
business," said Manny Mashouf, who earned a bachelor's degree
in political science from SF State in 1966. "The balance of career-focused
education and 'liberal' education is fundamental to SF State. I strongly
believe the cultural fabric of our communities, grounded in technology
and education, can be enriched by building new platforms for expression
and by stimulating academia with consistent support to our educators
and students."

The gift is the second largest alumni donation ever to a CSU campus.

"Manny and Neda Mashouf exemplify the San Francisco State spirit
with their innovation, accomplishment and commitment to community," Corrigan
said. "Their great generosity honors the University, and, coming
as it does from two graduates, stands as a testament to their appreciation
of their San Francisco State experience. The Mashoufs' landmark gift
spearheads development of a state-of-the-art building that will inspire
students and faculty to reach new heights in innovation and creativity,
and further contribute to the rich cultural life of the Bay Area."

The building will replace the existing Creative Arts building, located
on Holloway Avenue between Serrano Drive and Tapia Drive, which can
no longer contain the size and energy of its programs. The building
held its first class in 1953, when SF State opened its current campus
in the southwestern corner of San Francisco.

The new building, to be located at the corner of Font and Lake Merced
boulevards, will cover about five and a half acres and 242,000 square
feet -- 65,000 square feet larger than the existing building.

The new
building will contain instructional and performance spaces -- including
a
1,200-seat auditorium, 450-seat theater, 350-seat recital
hall and 250-seat "black box" theater -- enhanced by a multi-story,
glass-enclosed lobby. The building will house the Broadcast
and Electronic Communication Arts Department, Theatre
Arts Department and School
of Music and Dance. The other departments
in the College of Creative Arts -- Art,
Cinema and Design and Industry
-- will remain housed in the Fine Arts building, which was expanded
and remodeled in 1993.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2009-2010, with
doors opening in late 2012.

"I am inspired by the Mashoufs' commitment to the College of
Creative Arts and support of our plan to build a new home for our world-class
students, faculty and programs," said Keith Morrison, dean of
the College of Creative Arts. "It has been a delight to meet Manny
and Neda Mashouf and their family. I look forward to working with them
as we develop a cutting-edge building that the entire Bay Area will
be able to utilize and enjoy."

The existing Creative Arts building will eventually be demolished.
SF State is working to determine a future use for the location that
the existing building occupies.

Manny and Neda
Mashouf are actively involved in SF State alumni activities and continue
to support the University's strategic planning goals.
They previously donated more than $200,000 -- primarily to the College
of Business to help recruit and hire faculty. Manny Mashouf, also honored
at Commencement as SF State’s 2005 Alumnus of the Year, is a
member of the College of Business Advisory Board.

Manny and Neda
Mashouf are committed to expanding opportunities and accessibility
to theatre, music, dance, performance arts, electronic
media and other experimental and innovative programs. "It is essential
that we keep cultural resources open to the public," Manny Mashouf
said. "It is important that we invest in our own communities and
inspire the next generation to do the same."

The Mashoufs
live in Southern California. Neda Mashouf serves as vice chair of
bebe
stores. She earned a bachelor’s
degree in computer science from SF State in 1984. Manny Mashouf’s
son Karim earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from SF State
in 2002.